5 GT Turbo R5 GTT anti perc fan

[the5wede]

Hi guys. I registered to Andrew's dini page quite a while ago and have been a -not so active- member of this forum. I also posted on the gtturbo forum, but it seems not a lot of people are active there. The message I posted yesterday:
"Hi guys. New to the forum. I've got a couple of 5s (a 1st gen TS and a ph2 GTT). I've had the GTT for 14 months now. Where I live (Athens, GR) the anti perc fan is well needed (plus a manual switch to the ventilator, since there are cases of 35degree summer days down here.
I have had the anti perc fan working fine since day one. However, I couldn't help but notice the fan instantaneously "cutting off" a few times the past couple of weeks. Two days ago, a few minutes after I switched the engine off, the anti perc started working (as usual), but this time the sound was more bass/deep/loud. I've read quite a few comments on how the anti perc has caused fires to 5s. My question is HOW were those fires caused? Was it because the fan stopped working (i read somewhere that this was also caused by the collection of debris from unfiltered air - could this be the reason i heard this rather weird sound coming from the anti perc?). I avoided to switch the engine on everytime the antiperc was working because i was under the impression that this could cause a fire*. Any feedback is much appreciated.

*I guess this is also a question I wanted to ask: did these fires start when the anti perc was running while the engine was off OR when the anti perc was running while the engine had just been switched on? (I guess there's no way the anti perc will start working unless the engine is switched off, right?)"

I haven't had time to take out the anti perc fan yet (I have an extra one at home), but, right before I left home early in the morning today, I took a first step by taking out the plug from where it connects to the fan's motor - I wrapped the plug and covered the socket with duct tape for obvious reasons
At least, I guess, this will stop the fan's motor from working - however, will this temporary solution cause any other issues? I've read in forums that it's best to take out all the additional components that make up the anti perc system. The previous owner had placed a 15A fuse right next to the carb (between the carb and the turbo), but I'm not sure whether this is an inline fuse to the anti perc or if it functions for something else

Cheers
George

 

[markg]

Hi George, I had mine catch fire whilst sitting in a queue to a car park. It was many years ago but I believe the engine was running at the time. The mod by Renault for this issue was a revised loom that had a fuse fitted near to the perc fan motor. One of these - http://www.gt-turbo-spares.co.uk/cart/index.php?cmd=products&prod_id=424

From what I understand the motors start to seize over time. Hence they then require a greater power draw to keep them spinning and that's when things start to burn. With the revised loom the fuse should go before any damage is done.

 

[Brigsy]

The anti perc fan only caused fire when the perc motor seized up and burnt out. A simple fuse in the wiring is enough to fix this issue, renault recalled them and fitted a small bit of wiring with a fuse between perc motor and connector. It simply plugs in.

 

[the5wede]

Thanks for the quick replies.
(1) So, with my temporary solution of pulling the plug out from the motor, there's no risk of anything else happening, am I right?

(2) Is there any way to bypass/nullify the heat sensor(s) so I can place a switch in order to manually activate/deactivate the anti perc through the driver's cabin? 25-degree summer nights after a midnight spin would obviously make the anti perc motor work for 15-20 minutes (which was pretty useless, since I wouldn't use the car afterwards+battery drainage, I guess+anti perc motor sound echoing in the neighborhood at 1am)

(3) Was there also a switch close to the carb, which was used to manually power off the anti perc?

 

[andybond]

(1) So, with my temporary solution of pulling the plug out from the motor, there's no risk of anything else happening, am I right?

I would say that is a safe approach.

Personally, I am not convinced of the perc fan merit. I would leave it disconnected.

(3) Was there also a switch close to the carb, which was used to manually power off the anti perc?

I am not aware of one , but willing to be proved wrong.

 

[markg]

To my knowledge there are two switches/sensors. Neither are manually controlled but instead temperature operated. There is one on the top of the turbo headshield and a second in the base of the carb.

 

[Brigsy]

I would not bother fitting a manual switch on the anti perc - providing the battery is ok it wont go flat. Pull the plug and see how you get along without it, does not make much difference to hot start to be honest.

 

[the5wede]

To be honest, sometimes I do experience minor hot starts even after the anti perc has kicked in, but then again this may also have to do with the relatively higher encironmental temperatures I experience where I live. Really appreciate your feedback, guys. I've got a couple of more questions, in regards to measuring boost pressure on manifold vs carb and AFR q's, but I think I'll create a new thread when I have some time.

 

[DaveL485]

does not make much difference to hot start to be honest.

Maybe not where you live where the temperature never get above 10°/Rainy lol

 

[Brigsy]

Maybe not where you live where the temperature never get above 10°/Rainy lol

My gtt has been to europe a canny few times now in hot weather lol. The best hot start method is foot to the floor and crank it until it fires.